The sound of Victoria's high heels echoed loudly through the high ceiling of the marble foyer.
She reached the bottom step and looked down at the folder lying on the marble floor.
Marcus stepped back slightly and crossed his arms while keeping his eyes fixed on her face.
Noah had finally stopped crying and was playing quietly with a small blanket on the sofa.
Victoria: You really think a piece of paper changes the fact that this child is unwanted?
Marcus: Open the envelope and read the percentage written at the bottom of the page.
Victoria bent down slowly and picked up the thick white paper with two manicured fingers.
She tore the red security tape off the edge with a swift and careless motion.
Her eyes scanned the top header of the legal document with total disdain and mockery.
She expected to see an inconclusive result that would allow her to call her divorce lawyer.
Her goal had always been to strip Marcus of his estate control through a public scandal.
If she could prove he brought an unrelated child into the family trust, she wins everything.
Victoria: Let us see what kind of lie you paid for this time, Marcus.
Marcus: Read the full legal name of the father listed on line four.
Victoria flipped to the second page of the official report where the signature seals were stamped.
Her posture suddenly stiffened as her eyes caught the bold black letters near the bottom.
The words printed on the page were completely undeniable and backed by court certification numbers.
The genetic match between Marcus and the boy was listed at ninety-nine point nine percent probability.
Victoria: This... this has to be a mistake made by the laboratory technicians.
Marcus: There is no mistake on that court paper, Victoria.
Victoria: You tampered with the blood samples before they sent them to the state capital!
Marcus: The court officer collected those samples directly inside my private corporate office last week.
Victoria dropped the paper back onto the marble floor as if it had burned her fingers.
Her face went entirely pale while her breathing turned quick and shallow in her chest.
She looked over at the small child resting peacefully on the leather couch near the hall.
The dark brown eyes and dark hair of the boy were identical to Marcus's childhood photos.
Victoria: Even if he is yours, I will never allow him in my home.
Marcus: You do not get to make choices about this house or my family anymore.
Victoria: I am your lawful wife and my family funded half of this property deal!
Marcus: Your family signed away their rights during our prenuptial agreement three years ago.
Victoria took a step back while her hands began to shake with sudden realization and panic.
She knew that the prenuptial contract gave Marcus full ownership of the entire grand estate.
If she caused a public scene, Marcus had the full power to remove her immediately.
Marcus: Look at the third page inside that envelope before you make another threat.
Marcus: There is another legal notice tucked right behind the official lab results.